By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark Police officer has been arrested and faces multiple drug distribution charges following a recent operation in Essex County.
Mr. Ricardo Garden, 40, -Newark Police Officer- was reportedly found in possession of illegal narcotics, leading to his arrest and subsequent detention at the Essex County Jail.
According to public records, Garden has been charged with several offenses, including the use and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, manufacturing/distributing a controlled dangerous substance, possession of over 50 grams of marijuana and 5 grams of hashish, and distributing drugs near school property and on public buses.
Further charges against Garden involve possession of controlled substance analogs in Schedules I, II, III, and IV, as well as the unlawful use of prescription or legend drugs.
According to Study.com, legend drugs are medications used to treat a wide variety of symptoms and conditions.
These drugs are classified by schedules, which are based on each drug's potential for addiction. Some examples of legend drugs include Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate), Coumadin (sotalol), Viagra (sildenafil), and Xanax (alprazolam).
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter, emphasizing the severity of law enforcement officers engaging in illegal activities.
Garden is the second Newark Police officer arrested and charged this month.
Officer Jerson D. Peralta, 24, of Newark, was arrested on Wednesday, May 28, 2024, for shoplifting (by under-ringing) $116.68 worth of merchandise from Target on Passaic Avenue in Kearny. See his story by clicking HERE .
The police report revealed that he was charged with 2C:20-11B(5) Shoplifting, a Disorderly Persons Offense.
Peralta is also suspected of a shoplifting spree in Hudson and Essex counties.
Initially suspended without pay from the Newark Police Department for the Target incident, he was reinstated about a week later but was suspended again as additional charges emerged from other stores in the region.